US20130021165A1 - Electronics module for use subsea - Google Patents
Electronics module for use subsea Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20130021165A1 US20130021165A1 US13/554,630 US201213554630A US2013021165A1 US 20130021165 A1 US20130021165 A1 US 20130021165A1 US 201213554630 A US201213554630 A US 201213554630A US 2013021165 A1 US2013021165 A1 US 2013021165A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- electronics module
- subsea
- vibration
- vibration sensor
- sensor
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01H—MEASUREMENT OF MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OR ULTRASONIC, SONIC OR INFRASONIC WAVES
- G01H1/00—Measuring characteristics of vibrations in solids by using direct conduction to the detector
Definitions
- Embodiments of the invention relate to an electronics module for use subsea, for example a subsea electronics module for use in a control system for a hydrocarbon extraction well facility.
- the main equipment of a typical system configuration includes: a master control station (MCS), which provides the operator interface with subsea equipment and displays the current state of various subsurface equipment, subsea valves and sensor information enabling the operator to control the system; an umbilical cable, which connects the MCS to the equipment installed on the seabed and incorporates a communication link which carries control signals to the subsurface equipment and transfers information on the status of the subsurface equipment to the MCS; a subsea control module (SCM), which receives commands from the MCS and controls all the subsea processes, provides the hydraulic power to actuate valves and transmits status data on subsea equipment and sensor data to the MCS; a subsea electronics module (SEM), housed within the SCM and which is a microprocessor based electronics unit that houses a set of printed circuit boards (PCBs), the functions of which include communication with the MCS (rece
- MCS master control station
- PCBs printed circuit boards
- the sensor pack usually includes at least one dedicated vibration sensor which detects vibrations of the tree and equipment mounted on it.
- a sensor requires its own power, communication, cables and connectors to get the data to the SEM.
- the accuracy of this data in relation to the vibrations sensed by actual equipment is not necessarily good.
- a method of monitoring vibration of an electronics module used subsea comprises providing the electronics module with a vibration sensor on a printed circuit board in the electronics module to sense vibration of the electronics module.
- the senor comprises a three-axis acceleration sensor.
- Some technical advantages enabled by the invention are: removal of the need for a vibration sensor to be mounted in a subsea environment directly on a tree: an increase in the overall system reliability due to the elimination of cables and connectors in a subsea environment (which are common points of failure); and the provision of more accurate measurements of equipment (e.g. an SEM) vibration than from a tree mounted sensor.
- equipment e.g. an SEM
Abstract
An electronics module for use subsea is provided. The electronics module comprises a vibration sensor on a printed circuit board in the electronics module. the vibration sensor being configured to sense vibration of the electronics module. The module is typically a subsea electronics module for use in a control system for a subsea hydrocarbon extraction well facility.
Description
- Embodiments of the invention relate to an electronics module for use subsea, for example a subsea electronics module for use in a control system for a hydrocarbon extraction well facility.
- In offshore oil and gas production control systems, much of the equipment is mounted on a tree, installed on the seabed. The main equipment of a typical system configuration includes: a master control station (MCS), which provides the operator interface with subsea equipment and displays the current state of various subsurface equipment, subsea valves and sensor information enabling the operator to control the system; an umbilical cable, which connects the MCS to the equipment installed on the seabed and incorporates a communication link which carries control signals to the subsurface equipment and transfers information on the status of the subsurface equipment to the MCS; a subsea control module (SCM), which receives commands from the MCS and controls all the subsea processes, provides the hydraulic power to actuate valves and transmits status data on subsea equipment and sensor data to the MCS; a subsea electronics module (SEM), housed within the SCM and which is a microprocessor based electronics unit that houses a set of printed circuit boards (PCBs), the functions of which include communication with the MCS (receiving control information from, and transmitting sensor data to, the MCS), interfacing with subsurface sensors and controlling valves and hydraulics; and a tree installed on the seabed, to which is fitted the subsurface electric and hydraulic equipment needed to control the flow of fluid from the well together with a sensor pack, to determine the state of the Christmas tree equipment, well head components and fluid flowing from the well.
- The sensor pack usually includes at least one dedicated vibration sensor which detects vibrations of the tree and equipment mounted on it. Such a sensor requires its own power, communication, cables and connectors to get the data to the SEM. However, the accuracy of this data in relation to the vibrations sensed by actual equipment (for example that housed in the SCM) is not necessarily good.
- According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an electronics module for use subsea, the module comprising a vibration sensor on a printed circuit board in the module, the vibration sensor being configured to sense vibration of the module.
- According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a control system for a subsea hydrocarbon extraction well facility. The control system comprises an electronics module comprising a vibration sensor on a printed circuit board in the electronics module, the vibration sensor being configured to sense vibration of the electronics module, wherein the electronics module is arranged in a subsea control module at a tree of the facility.
- According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of monitoring vibration of an electronics module used subsea. The method comprises providing the electronics module with a vibration sensor on a printed circuit board in the electronics module to sense vibration of the electronics module.
- The electronics module may be a subsea electronics module for use in a control system for a subsea hydrocarbon extraction well facility.
- In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the sensor comprises a three-axis acceleration sensor.
- In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the sensor is incorporated in an integrated circuit. In this case, the integrated circuit typically includes means for amplifying and processing signals from the sensor.
- A control system for a subsea hydrocarbon extraction well facility, including a module according to embodiments of the present invention, in a subsea control module at a tree of the facility, is also provided. In this case the system includes means for transmitting data from the sensor to a further location such as a master control station or automatic test equipment.
-
FIG. 1 schematically shows the configuration of a control system for a hydrocarbon extraction well incorporating the embodiments of the invention. -
FIG. 1 shows schematically the above described configuration of a control system for a hydrocarbon extraction well facility but incorporating embodiments of the invention.Reference numeral 1 designates an MCS;reference numeral 2 designates an umbilical cable;reference numeral 3 designates an SCM;reference numeral 4 designates an SEM:reference numeral 5 designates a tree; andreference numeral 6 designates a sensor pack. - The SCM 3 is a self-contained, sealed unit having a steel casing and a metal baseplate which is fixed to the
tree 5 by a series of bolts. The SEM 4, which is itself a heavy metal unit, is securely integrated inside theSCM 3. - However, in contrast to what is described above, the
sensor pack 6 does not include the above-mentioned dedicated vibration sensors. Instead, this embodiment of the invention entails mounting an integrated circuit (IC) 7, which incorporates a three-axis vibration sensor, on aPCB 8 fitted into theSEM 4. The IC 7 is mechanically fixed to thePCB 8 by sufficiently rugged electrical connectors and thePCB 8 itself is designed with four faces of mechanical registration and fits into sufficiently rugged electrical connectors fixed to the SEM structure, so that the forces sensed by the vibration sensor ofIC 7 will bear a very direct relationship to the Forces applied to theSEM 4 itself. - 100151 The
IC 7, more particularly, is an IC which includes a three-axis accelerometer and which can be mounted on aPCB 8 and interlace directly with it. TheIC 7 turns sensed mechanical acceleration forces, via an amplifier circuit and an analogue to digital converter in theIC 7, into a data format, which is transmitted via a communications link (for example in the umbilical cable 2) to theMCS 1 or to automatic test equipment (ATE) during testing and qualification. - This design approach differs from the conventional method of physically mounting a vibration sensor directly on a tree and eliminates the need for external cables and connectors carrying communications and electrical power to the externally mounted vibration sensor and provides a more accurate measurement of equipment vibration.
- Some technical advantages enabled by the invention are: removal of the need for a vibration sensor to be mounted in a subsea environment directly on a tree: an increase in the overall system reliability due to the elimination of cables and connectors in a subsea environment (which are common points of failure); and the provision of more accurate measurements of equipment (e.g. an SEM) vibration than from a tree mounted sensor.
- An additional benefit is that the sensor can be used to improve the environmental stress screening (ESS) of an SEM and also be used for SEM qualification testing. Currently, large external sensors are mounted onto an SEM or cards within it which sensors can artificially skew the results. By having a board mounted sensor, the actual vibration to which the board is subjected can be accurately sensed.
- Embodiments of the present invention could also be useful in subsea drilling control systems as well as production systems.
- Information retrieved can be used to design an improved and more rugged SEM if needed.
- Some commercial advantages enabled by the invention are: a reduction in equipment cost as external cables and connectors are not needed; improved reliability, resulting in reduction in overall lifecycle costs; the use of more accurate vibration data as part of equipment state of health assessment and improved planned maintenance routines, contributing to reduced costs; and reducing the need and costs of large external sensors for the purpose of SEM testing and qualification.
Claims (14)
1. An electronics module for use subsea, the electronics module comprising a vibration sensor on a printed circuit board in the electronics module, the vibration sensor being configured to sense vibration of the electronics module.
2. The electronics module according to claim 1 , wherein the electronics module is a subsea electronics module for use in a control system for a subsea hydrocarbon extraction well facility.
3. The electronics module according to claim 1 , wherein the vibration sensor comprises a three-axis acceleration sensor.
4. The electronics module according to claim 1 , wherein the vibration sensor is incorporated in an integrated circuit.
5. The electronics module according to claim 4 , wherein the integrated circuit is configured to amplify and process signals from the sensor.
6. A control system for a subsea hydrocarbon extraction well facility, the control system comprising an electronics module comprising a vibration sensor on a printed circuit board in the electronics module, the vibration sensor being configured to sense vibration of the electronics module, wherein the electronics module is arranged in a subsea control module at a tree of the facility.
7. The system according to claim 6 , the system configured to transmit data from the sensor to a further location.
8. A method of monitoring vibration of an electronics module used subsea, the method comprising providing the electronics module with a vibration sensor on a printed circuit board in the electronics module to sense vibration of the electronics module.
9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the electronics module is a subsea electronics module of a control system for a subsea hydrocarbon extraction well facility.
10. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the vibration sensor comprises a three-axis acceleration sensor.
11. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the vibration sensor is incorporated in an integrated circuit.
12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the integrated circuit amplifies and processes signals from the vibration sensor.
13. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the module is in a subsea control module at a tree of the facility.
14. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising transmitting data from the vibration sensor to a further location.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP11174875.2 | 2011-07-21 | ||
EP11174875A EP2549246A1 (en) | 2011-07-21 | 2011-07-21 | An electronics module for use subsea |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20130021165A1 true US20130021165A1 (en) | 2013-01-24 |
Family
ID=45034225
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/554,630 Abandoned US20130021165A1 (en) | 2011-07-21 | 2012-07-20 | Electronics module for use subsea |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20130021165A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2549246A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN102890455A (en) |
AU (1) | AU2012205254B2 (en) |
BR (1) | BR102012017970A8 (en) |
SG (1) | SG187352A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10726864B1 (en) * | 2019-11-22 | 2020-07-28 | Western Digital Technologies, Inc. | Data storage device comprising printed circuit board installed along arc of disk shroud |
US11686610B2 (en) | 2019-12-03 | 2023-06-27 | Fluid Handling Llc | Operational condition monitoring system |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2571920A (en) * | 2018-02-27 | 2019-09-18 | Aker Solutions Ltd | Subsea module |
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US20140096611A1 (en) * | 2012-10-09 | 2014-04-10 | Pruftechnik Dieter Busch Ag | Sensor arrangement and method for producing a sensor arrangement |
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US20100052940A1 (en) * | 2006-07-24 | 2010-03-04 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Power line communication device for subsea well |
US8437979B2 (en) * | 2007-01-20 | 2013-05-07 | Kcf Technologies, Inc. | Smart tether system for underwater navigation and cable shape measurement |
GB2458944B (en) * | 2008-04-04 | 2012-06-27 | Vetco Gray Controls Ltd | Communication system for a hydrocarbon extraction plant |
US20100078216A1 (en) * | 2008-09-25 | 2010-04-01 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Downhole vibration monitoring for reaming tools |
DE102009039192A1 (en) * | 2009-08-28 | 2011-04-07 | Optimare Sensorsysteme Gmbh & Co. Kg | Device for attachment to a wired underwater device |
-
2011
- 2011-07-21 EP EP11174875A patent/EP2549246A1/en not_active Ceased
-
2012
- 2012-07-16 SG SG2012052270A patent/SG187352A1/en unknown
- 2012-07-19 AU AU2012205254A patent/AU2012205254B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2012-07-19 BR BR102012017970A patent/BR102012017970A8/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2012-07-20 US US13/554,630 patent/US20130021165A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2012-07-23 CN CN2012102549847A patent/CN102890455A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (10)
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US20010028301A1 (en) * | 1992-01-16 | 2001-10-11 | Klever Marketing, Inc. | Electronic shopping cart display system |
US5720355A (en) * | 1993-07-20 | 1998-02-24 | Baroid Technology, Inc. | Drill bit instrumentation and method for controlling drilling or core-drilling |
US6873267B1 (en) * | 1999-09-29 | 2005-03-29 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for monitoring and controlling oil and gas production wells from a remote location |
US6529135B1 (en) * | 1999-10-12 | 2003-03-04 | Csi Technology, Inc. | Integrated electric motor monitor |
US20070000667A1 (en) * | 2001-04-23 | 2007-01-04 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Subsea Communication System and Technique |
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US20100008371A1 (en) * | 2006-09-25 | 2010-01-14 | Endre Brekke | Routing facility for a subsea electronics module |
US20090212969A1 (en) * | 2008-02-26 | 2009-08-27 | Vecto Gray Inc. | Underwater Communications Using RF |
US20120050057A1 (en) * | 2010-08-26 | 2012-03-01 | DEI Headquarters, Inc, | Circuit board integrated motion sensor |
US20140096611A1 (en) * | 2012-10-09 | 2014-04-10 | Pruftechnik Dieter Busch Ag | Sensor arrangement and method for producing a sensor arrangement |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10726864B1 (en) * | 2019-11-22 | 2020-07-28 | Western Digital Technologies, Inc. | Data storage device comprising printed circuit board installed along arc of disk shroud |
US11686610B2 (en) | 2019-12-03 | 2023-06-27 | Fluid Handling Llc | Operational condition monitoring system |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
BR102012017970A2 (en) | 2013-10-29 |
EP2549246A1 (en) | 2013-01-23 |
CN102890455A (en) | 2013-01-23 |
BR102012017970A8 (en) | 2016-04-12 |
SG187352A1 (en) | 2013-02-28 |
AU2012205254A1 (en) | 2013-02-07 |
AU2012205254B2 (en) | 2016-11-24 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: VETCO GRAY CONTROLS LIMITED, UNITED KINGDOM Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:STOKES, MARTIN;REEL/FRAME:029090/0978 Effective date: 20121004 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: GE OIL & GAS UK LIMITED, UNITED KINGDOM Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:VETCO GRAY CONTROLS LIMITED;REEL/FRAME:035316/0821 Effective date: 20150224 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |